(Pics)Another batch of devotees leave for Amarnath shrine

, Jul 4: Amid tight security, a fresh batch of 2,234 pilgrims today left for the

cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas from the base camp here.

The batch, including 1,538 men, 447 women and 48 children, left in a convoy of 66 vehicles from Bhagwati Nagar base camp here at 4:20 AM, police said.

The convoy has already crossed Udhampur district and the pilgrims would reach their respective destinations at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps by the evening. As many as 12,103 pilgrims have so far left Jammu for their onward journey to the cave shrine of Amarnath.

The yatra to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath started from the traditional Pahalgam route on July 3, just four days after the annual pilgrimage began on the shorter Baltal route.

"The yatra to the holy cave of Shri Amarnathji commenced today from the Chandanwari route also and 4,166 pilgrims left from here to the Holy Cave," a spokesman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) said yesterday.

From the Baltal route, 8,922 yatris left for the Holy cave, he said, adding that till date, 61,156 pilgrims had darshan of the 'ice lingam'.

Amarnath Yatra at a base camp in Jammu

Sadhus sing religious songs as they wait to register themselves for the Amarnath Yatra at a base camp in Jammu on Thursday.

Amarnath pilgrims leave for Yatra

Correcting facts-Pahalgam : Amarnath pilgrims leave for Yatra on Wednesday after it was thrown open from Pahalgam side in South Kashmir.

Pilgrims standing in queues to register for the annual pilgrimage

Pilgrims standing in queues to register for the annual pilgrimage of the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu on Tuesday.

Pilgrims on the way to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath

Pilgrims on the way to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath on Monday.

Hindu pilgrims on the way to the holy cave of Amarnath

Hindu pilgrims on the way to the holy cave of Amarnath shrine on Monday.

Local labourers carry a female devotee

Local labourers carry a female devotee in a make-shift palanquin en route Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine in South Kashmir on Sunday.

Pilgrims rest on their way to Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine

Pilgrims rest on their way to Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine in South Kashmir on Sunday.

Women devotees clad in saree with sport shoes

Women devotees clad in saree with sport shoes and wooden stick, rest on their way to Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine in South Kashmir on Sunday.

Pilgrims climb the hilly terrain on horse back

Pilgrims climb the hilly terrain on horse back as they proceed towards Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine in South Kashmir on Sunday.

Pilgrims climb the hilly terrain on horse

Pilgrims climb the hilly terrain on horse back as they proceed towards Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine in South Kashmir on Sunday.

Pilgrims proceed towards Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine

Pilgrims proceed towards Amarnath Holy Cave Shrine in South Kashmir on Sunday.

A view of holy Shiv Lingam in Amarnath cave

A view of holy Shiv Lingam in Amarnath cave on Friday.

A view of the ice-Shivalingam at the holy cave shrine

A view of the ice-Shivalingam at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath on Tuesday.

PTI